jf 850
Well-Known Member
i do the complete opposite to what lads are saying here, cow calves and calf is given 3 ltrs of colostrum from the mother with a bottle and teat while she is licking the calf, cow and calf left together for first day and after that the cow is let into her calf every night for 5 to 7 nights before weaning, haven,t had a case of scour for years and don,t vaccinate . smaller numbers than most lads and a more spread out calving pattern but i think the first week is vital in a calfs life and a bit of time spent then is better than time and money lost for the rest of the animals life
Somewhat similar here . Calf is left with the cow for 12 to 24 hours , depending on whether it calves day or night . Never vaccinate . Only IBR and lepto . Wouldnt be big into powerwashing , but pull out bedding between most cows , or every couple if big pressure on . Usually spread lime around then , before bedding fresh . I use plenty of straw . Calf pens get a few inches of wood chip, then straw . Wood chip lets weep down out of the straw . Use a shake of bread soda in whole milk , which i think helps . Try and get them eating a shake of meal ASAP .